Zubair Baloch, the younger brother of notorious Karachi gangster Uzair Baloch, was critically wounded in a targeted drive‑by shooting in Lyari on Thursday evening.

The incident has reignited fears of a possible resurgence of gang violence in the historic neighbourhood.

The 40‑year‑old was seated outside his residence in Singu Lane when two masked assailants riding a motorcycle opened fire. He sustained gunshot wounds to the chest and abdomen. Zubair was rushed to Civil Hospital Karachi where emergency surgery was performed to save his life.

Two bystanders were also injured in the exchange of fire. One of them is reported to be in serious condition. The attackers fled the scene after a shopkeeper returned fire in self‑defence. CCTV footage circulating on Telegram channels showed panic and chaos as residents scrambled for cover while the gunmen escaped.

Police officials confirmed that investigations are underway. They are examining whether the attack stemmed from personal enmity or was linked to the revival of long‑standing gang rivalries in Lyari. The neighbourhood has historically been the epicentre of Karachi’s gang wars, with its narrow lanes often turning into battlegrounds.

Zubair Baloch himself had been arrested in multiple criminal cases in 2012 but was released from prison last year. His elder brother Uzair remains incarcerated, serving a 12‑year sentence handed down by a military court. Uzair was indicted for a 2012 armed assault on law enforcement officers under Kalakot police station’s jurisdiction and was later convicted of espionage in April 2020.

Lyari’s violent legacy stretches back decades, rooted in turf wars over drug trafficking routes and extortion rackets. These conflicts evolved into proxy battles involving major political factions.

Figures such as Sardar Abdul Rehman Baloch, better known as Rehman Dakait, and his rival Arshad Pappu dominated the area, often enjoying political patronage through organisations like the Peoples’ Aman Committee. Their influence shielded syndicates from police oversight and allowed them to operate with impunity.

Following Rehman Dakait’s death in a police encounter in 2009, his cousin Uzair Baloch assumed control of the dominant faction. Under Uzair’s leadership, Lyari became synonymous with organised crime, with its gangs wielding significant influence over Karachi’s political and criminal landscape.

The latest attack on Zubair Baloch has raised concerns that dormant networks may be reactivating, threatening to plunge Lyari back into cycles of violence. Authorities remain on high alert as the investigation continues.

ANI